Tag: president,

Fides News – EnglishAFRICA/GHANA – Bishops call on new President to approve the Bill on family values​

Accra – “What we want is that it is made into a law,” said the President of the Episcopal Conference of Ghana and Bishop of Sunyani, Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, during his meeting yesterday with President John Dramani Mahama, whom he asked to approve the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, a law described as an “anti-LGBTQ+ law” that aims to reaffirm traditional African family values in school education.
The bill was already approved by Parliament on February 28, 2024 and was awaiting approval by then President Nana Akufo-Addo to come into force. However, the latter did not do so because he had to wait for two Supreme Court rulings on whether the law was in accordance with the Constitution .
President Mahama, who took office on January 7 of this year, responded to the request of the President of the Bishops’ Conference by stating that “all bills that are not passed before the end of the parliamentary term expire according to the current provisions. So this bill is practically dead”. “I do not know what the supporters of the bill intend to do, but I think we should discuss it again so that when we decide to move forward with the bill, we move forward with consensus,” stressed the new Head of State. The President added that in his opinion the new law should be a government initiative , but he also stressed that “if we teach our values in school, we do not need a law to enforce them”. During the meeting with the delegation of the Episcopal Conference, President Mahama thanked the Catholic Church for its contribution to education and health, as well as to the moral development of young people and their education.

Accra – “What we want is that it is made into a law,” said the President of the Episcopal Conference of Ghana and Bishop of Sunyani, Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, during his meeting yesterday with President John Dramani Mahama, whom he asked to approve the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, a law described as an “anti-LGBTQ+ law” that aims to reaffirm traditional African family values in school education. The bill was already approved by Parliament on February 28, 2024 and was awaiting approval by then President Nana Akufo-Addo to come into force. However, the latter did not do so because he had to wait for two Supreme Court rulings on whether the law was in accordance with the Constitution . President Mahama, who took office on January 7 of this year, responded to the request of the President of the Bishops’ Conference by stating that “all bills that are not passed before the end of the parliamentary term expire according to the current provisions. So this bill is practically dead”. “I do not know what the supporters of the bill intend to do, but I think we should discuss it again so that when we decide to move forward with the bill, we move forward with consensus,” stressed the new Head of State. The President added that in his opinion the new law should be a government initiative , but he also stressed that “if we teach our values in school, we do not need a law to enforce them”. During the meeting with the delegation of the Episcopal Conference, President Mahama thanked the Catholic Church for its contribution to education and health, as well as to the moral development of young people and their education. 

Fides News – EnglishAFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE – Tensions remain high on the eve of the inauguration of the new President​

Maputo – Today, January 14, the new Mozambican Parliament, which emerged from the general elections of October 9 , was inaugurated. However, the opposition parties, which contest the electoral result, stayed away from the inaugural session. The situation therefore remains tense ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of President Daniel Chapo, the candidate of FRELIMO , which has ruled since 1975 and whose victory was confirmed by the Constitutional Council on December 23. The candidate of the opposition PODEMOS , Venancio Mondlane, who came second in the election, had indeed lodged an objection, but the Constitutional Council rejected the request, although it acknowledged some discrepancies that, in its opinion, did not affect the validity of the result.
The Council therefore granted PODEMOS some additional deputies and changed the percentage of votes in favor of Mondlane from 20% to 25% .
Mondlane rejected the Council’s decision, proclaiming himself “President” after he returned home from exile in South Africa on January 9 and some European countries. The disputed results sparked a wave of violence and protests across the country, which, according to several non-governmental organizations, left more than 300 dead and thousands injured. The PODEMOS candidate, meanwhile, said he was ready to die for the cause, also because of his strong religious convictions . To resolve the crisis, the formation of a national unity government with Mondlane as prime minister is being considered.
Maputo – Today, January 14, the new Mozambican Parliament, which emerged from the general elections of October 9 , was inaugurated. However, the opposition parties, which contest the electoral result, stayed away from the inaugural session. The situation therefore remains tense ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of President Daniel Chapo, the candidate of FRELIMO , which has ruled since 1975 and whose victory was confirmed by the Constitutional Council on December 23. The candidate of the opposition PODEMOS , Venancio Mondlane, who came second in the election, had indeed lodged an objection, but the Constitutional Council rejected the request, although it acknowledged some discrepancies that, in its opinion, did not affect the validity of the result. The Council therefore granted PODEMOS some additional deputies and changed the percentage of votes in favor of Mondlane from 20% to 25% . Mondlane rejected the Council’s decision, proclaiming himself “President” after he returned home from exile in South Africa on January 9 and some European countries. The disputed results sparked a wave of violence and protests across the country, which, according to several non-governmental organizations, left more than 300 dead and thousands injured. The PODEMOS candidate, meanwhile, said he was ready to die for the cause, also because of his strong religious convictions . To resolve the crisis, the formation of a national unity government with Mondlane as prime minister is being considered. 

Fides News – EnglishAFRICA/ZAMBIA – Zambian President thanks the Church for supporting his country’s debt restructuring efforts​

Lusaka – “Forgive us our trespasses and grant us your peace”. This is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 58th World Day of Peace celebrated yesterday, January 1, 2025. And it is precisely to the role of the Catholic Church in supporting his country’s debt restructuring efforts that Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema wanted to pay tribute during his meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio in Lusaka, Archbishop Gianluca Perici.
The Nuncio’s visit to the presidential residence took place on December 31. During the meeting, President Hichilema particularly acknowledged the key role played by the Catholic Church in supporting Zambia’s debt restructuring efforts, noting that the Church’s contributions are consistent with Zambia’s debt relief and economic recovery objectives. This includes supporting Zambia’s position within the G20 framework for debt relief. President Hichilema also stressed that his administration is committed to investing the proceeds from the debt relief in strategic investments and international business partnerships to promote the country’s development. In his speech, Hichilema reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with faith-based organizations, particularly the Catholic Church, which has contributed significantly to the education, health care and social welfare sectors in Zambia. The President stressed that Zambia’s inclusive policy of collaboration with religious bodies is fundamental to ensuring the well-being of the country’s citizens. Bishop Perici conveyed a special message from Pope Francis, expressing gratitude for Zambia’s efforts in the debt restructuring process. The message, which comes ahead of the 58th World Day of Peace, encourages collaboration between the Church and the Zambian government. Pope Francis highlighted the themes of peace, harmony and debt relief, calling for stronger ties between the Vatican and Zambia, a sentiment shared during Hichilema’s visit to the Vatican in 2022. Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe added that Pope Francis’ message reflected the longstanding diplomatic ties between Zambia and the Vatican, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025.
Lusaka – “Forgive us our trespasses and grant us your peace”. This is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 58th World Day of Peace celebrated yesterday, January 1, 2025. And it is precisely to the role of the Catholic Church in supporting his country’s debt restructuring efforts that Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema wanted to pay tribute during his meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio in Lusaka, Archbishop Gianluca Perici. The Nuncio’s visit to the presidential residence took place on December 31. During the meeting, President Hichilema particularly acknowledged the key role played by the Catholic Church in supporting Zambia’s debt restructuring efforts, noting that the Church’s contributions are consistent with Zambia’s debt relief and economic recovery objectives. This includes supporting Zambia’s position within the G20 framework for debt relief. President Hichilema also stressed that his administration is committed to investing the proceeds from the debt relief in strategic investments and international business partnerships to promote the country’s development. In his speech, Hichilema reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with faith-based organizations, particularly the Catholic Church, which has contributed significantly to the education, health care and social welfare sectors in Zambia. The President stressed that Zambia’s inclusive policy of collaboration with religious bodies is fundamental to ensuring the well-being of the country’s citizens. Bishop Perici conveyed a special message from Pope Francis, expressing gratitude for Zambia’s efforts in the debt restructuring process. The message, which comes ahead of the 58th World Day of Peace, encourages collaboration between the Church and the Zambian government. Pope Francis highlighted the themes of peace, harmony and debt relief, calling for stronger ties between the Vatican and Zambia, a sentiment shared during Hichilema’s visit to the Vatican in 2022. Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe added that Pope Francis’ message reflected the longstanding diplomatic ties between Zambia and the Vatican, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. 

President Hoover revisited

A relative of Herbert Hoover
rebuked Biden
for comparing the wrecker to Hoover.

I have a different criticism: comparing the wrecker to Hoover is an understatement.

Herbert Hoover was a Republican president who worshiped the Invisible Hand and therefore
refused to take effective action to get the US out of depression. The many people made
homeless by his inaction built shanty towns that they called “Hoovervilles”.

But Hoover did not try to overthrow democracy. He was a plutocratist, not a fascist. He ran
again for president, lost to FDR, and accepted defeat. Then FDR instituted the New Deal.

The wrecker, by contrast, is a fascist and is trying to eliminate democracy
and
rule of law
in the US by turning democracy and the constitution into a sham to
disguise a dictatorship.

Although Hoover did not try to overthrow democracy, other plutocratists did try, and
asked
recently retired General Smedley Butler
to lead the coup for them.
Butler surprised them by upholding the Constitution and testifying about their plot.